"Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 50 Compiled By David Collins Owned By Weavers Everywhere Date Sent September 27, 1997 Subscribers 327 Back Issues http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5998/ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Basket Tags Date: Mon, 27 Aug 1956 21:33:16 +0000 From: L Prevost Reply-To: L-C-PREVOST@svr1.iei.net Organization: N/A To: davidc@iei.net CC: etaylor@telplus.net Hi Everyone! The weather has been so beautiful here in Washington that I've been spending lots of time outside with my son. It will be cold soon enough! The most recent basket I've made is Jo`s Favorite Braided Market Basket by Jo Ellen Burns. It is a gorgeous basket with two rows of braiding within the basket as well as a braided handle. The pattern was beautifully written and very easy to understand. :) To Stacey Taylor: N.C. Basketworks (1-800-338-4972) has pre-made basket tags. They have a basket picture and the words "Handmade Basket Designs". Also, Restoration has rubber stamps with baskets that say "Made By" so you can make your own tags. Hope this is helpful. Caroline Prevost Redmond, WA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Cooking Utensils Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 21:14:20 -0500 From: The Ray Ohana To: davidc@iei.net I don't chime in too often these days, but after reading the latest issue of Weaver's Words I feel I must comment. After reading Kim Renich's post about the pattern issue, something about the pot calling the kettle black comes to mind. I felt provoked and I have remained silent on this issue. After your post, I fully understand why people you know will not write in for fear of being jumped on. Carey Ray Bossier City, LA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: weavers words, Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 19:43:50 -0700 From: Mary Ann Gullo Organization: Baskets by Mary To: davidc@iei.net Hi, I have been not e mailing in like forever because it seems to not want to download correctly, hopefully fixed now. Wow, this is my buzy buzy season too especially October 2 shows in 1 month, 1 is 1 weekend and 1 is 3 weekends ouch! Plus I am teaching a basket class-when am I going to find time to MOVE by NOv 1! My landlord jacked my rent up 50.00 for this dump! I'm a woman-I can do it!. Anyway, for a cute x mas idea (warning warning a free made by me pattern follows here!)(HEE HEE) supplies 1 lb 1/2 inch flat reed 1 lb 1/4 flat reed 1 lb 1/4 flat oval 1 lb #3 round reed. The above supplies will make quite a few of the pattern, all depending on how big you want it. you can use 3/8 or 5/8 flat also instead of the 1/2 inch. Cut the 1/2 inch into pieces about 28 inches long fold them in half. what you are making is kind of like the elbow basket, place one opposite the other in a v, you want 5 on each side << so so far you have a heart type shape. spaced about 1 stake every 1/2 inch. next you cut some pieces about 10 inches long or less, you have to measure it yourself depends on your spacing. You build up one side, just like the walls of a basket, about 7 inches above your 1 side of the v. On the other side you put in 3 rows of the 1/2 inch, then 1 or 2 of the 1/4 flat. this leaves you with some long ends, trim them a bit and weave them criss crossed over each other and tuck them in to get a toe type look. The top of your x mas stocking you can color some of your strips red and green and intersperse them, and the tops you can just either trim to a point and tuck in or to be fancy you weave 2 rows of the #3, cut a piece of flat oval to fit the outside and use the 1/4 flat to do a "rim" with it. Don't put anything on the inside and do a real rim, it is a pain. You can attach a wire x mas pick on the bottom boot portion of the stocking. You can make it larger you can make it smaller by changing stake amounts and lengths Real cute as little x mas ornaments for the tree for the small ones., Great on the front door with some x mas greenery in it for the big ones. Experiment with the design, wish I could attach a picture of the thing, my directions might make some sense. I do assume some skill in weaving in it, and if you know how to make an elbow or heart basket, this is only too obvious, I came up with is when i was making an elbow that got out of control. Merry whatever, and remember we are all here to help one another, don't yell at me if you have a similar design I didn't steal your copyright, and just like my 3 story pie carrier "pattern" is something I came up with on a whim. I don't want this forum to disappear like the last one. Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 49 Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 23:15:00 -0400 From: olneyjw@juno.com (Judith W Olney) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Oh, Forrest, I am so sorry...(and I have since changed the size of my email font, which helps), I thought the "eye" between the 2's in your URL was a one! I'd say I needed my eyes examined, but I did that back in the spring and this is as good as it gets! I did get to your site by linking from Baskets, Etc., and I did see the Cherokee Market and pronounce it quite good. I did not get to see Grace because I timed out on getting the pictures to load & gave up. Anyhow, my mistake kept me from getting there. On the subject of web sites...I don't think anyone has mentioned one for the exhibit now going on in Ohio, so I will: www.Saso-oh.org/ODC/baskets/ There are some really mind blowing baskets to see...one from each of the participants. These baskets all fall into the art category, but even if you're a strict traditionalist, you should take a look--most of them are very good. Judith Olney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: aloha Date: Tue, 23 Sep 1997 17:55:43 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha, dear friends, I want to thank everyone who has e-mailed me with kind thoughts--I can*t tell you how much this means to me, especially now. To Kim--the subject is dead--let it rest in peace, PLEASE I*ve been working very hard for a craft fair on the 4th and am trying to make just as many as I can. I*m doing a lot of different baskets--and I*m using it as a stress combatant. My youngest child has developed an illness and the side effects of the medication seem to be making it worse--fact is, there is no other treatment for this, so it*s use this one and hope for the best or use nothing at all. All these years, I*ve thought that there was a cure for most things, but that just isn*t the case. So, please believe that one hot head isn*t going to chase me from this list, but right now, my daughter needs all the attention I can give. When this crisis is over, I*ll be back. Love to my sister (and brother) weavers, Lois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 49 Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 12:55:54 +0900 From: SMSgt Vic & Darleena Jones Organization: USAF, Okinawa, Japan To: davidc@iei.net CC: etaylor@telplus.net, Mary319@aol.com, Devon_Branca@mlsonline.com References: 1 Hello fellow weavers, Thank you David for all of your work. I hope you are doing well. To Stacey: You can find the cornucopia pattern at Gratiot Lake Basketry. It's called the "Horn of Plenty" by Sheila King. You can reach BLG at glbasketry@worldnet.att.com . If you have any questions when you are weaving you may email me directly. To Forrest: I guess I didn't wait for that picture to finish because I didn't think you could fit her in on what was left.. I'll look again but what about that basket hat? To Mary: This is what works for me and my reed. I use paper grocery bags to keep my reed separated. I cut about 4 inches of bag off of the top, mark the bag near the top with the size of reed. I mark flat with black marker and flat oval with red marker. The reed stands up nicely in the bag and I have a number of bags standing in a large plastic rectangular container. The bags expand and contract to the amount of reed in them and they breath so that my reed doesn't mold in this humid climate. The container comes off of the shelf nicely to my weaving table and if I take the bags out of the box the reed is still contained. After a number of months I may need to replace the bag but I have recycled the bag for a while. To Joy: Hot tea on a fall day...mmmmmm. You make me homesick for New England. Someday I'll drag my boys to Sturbridge Village, the historic sites in Boston and Salem etc... All those field trips they missed because we've dragged them all over the world on huge field trips. But they haven't smelled the lilacs yet.... To Cheri: I've taken your advice and am sending a copy to those who asked specific questions. How did your weaving go? I need to get to it this evening. I'm seeing a trend. I craft during the day and weave at night. Vic just shakes his head and wonders if I'll stop to sleep. HEY!!! LURKERS!! Just introduce yourself and say hi! We won't bite... hard. Darleena in Okinawa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "taking tools to convention" Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 09:50:35 -0400 From: Joanne Jackson To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Good Morning Basketweavers, It is a sunny day here in Michigan but cooool. In answer to those who need to take lots of tools to class at the AMB convention.. A couple of helpful hints. #1- you can get some really nice heavy duty canvas bags from Restorations in In. 1-800-562-5291 or from Grandma's Baskets in Williamston, Mi 1-800-238-2323. They were available in canvas trimmed in Navy or Red. I just sold my last 2 that I had they were trimmed in Grey suede. These have pockets on the sides and ends as well as pockets inside. Everything has a place! #2- For all who are going to come to Michigan for the first time one of the most useful and necessary things to have is a portable dolly that you can load everything on secure it and be on your way! Believe me it is sometimes a long way from your room to your class and this is a must(that is in my opinion) rather than trying to balance a bucket for water and your tools! I am looking forward to seeing all of you at convention. I will be registering you all so please look for the gal who is dressed in purple, with the basket vest on(which is not purple)! and say HI! Ann: Sounds like you have quite a schedule for Vladimir! I have a class with him on Saturday. Joanne Jackson Marshall, Mi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: WW, Vol 1 Iss 49 Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 12:40:38 -0400 From: "Denise Smallidge" To: To Stacey in Maine: Pattern for a table top cornucopia by Jo Ellen Burns.Is a very neat basket! To Joy Moody in Maine: Howz about you and Stacey and Sandra sending some of that fall weather down here to Florida where it is STILL in the 90's every day?? Your trip to Geneva to do Nantuckets sounds exciting too! Will check out your new web page. Glad you have it up. To Ruthanne Morningstar: Many thanks to you for your input on handle making> I found it quiet interesting and informative. I would enjoy watching the process of the handle being made as you said. To Fred Kogler: I see you have those 28 hr days like I do! And i thought my watch was slow.... :o) Off to weave more baskets. Hope everyone is doing fine these days!! Denise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 11:40:45 -0600 From: ANDREA & TOM OKEEFE Organization: SAVANNAH HOUSE To: davidc@iei.net, coltsfan@usa.net Hi Everyone, Well it's my turn to envy all of you are starting to experience cooler weather. It's still setting record temperatures here in sunny Florida. I'm looking forward to being able to weave outside again. Well, maybe next month. David, I so enjoy this list. Thanks again. Lois Keener. Thanks for your post on pineapple baskets. I followed your directions and it worked like a charm. So much faster! Please don't back off on your posting. I enjoy reading them. About the pattern discussion. Life is too short. Let's lighten up and be kind to one another. As Forrest Gump would say "and that's all I have to say about that". Andrea Palm Island, FL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: tags Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 19:27:07 -0400 From: "Jocelyn Levan" To: CC: Hello basketweavers! Stacey in Maine - I get very nice tags from Royalwood in Mansfield, Ohio. They're good quality and have 3 designs per pkg. of 12 ($.80 wholesale). Their phone no. is 1-800-526-1630. Hope this helps. Cheri Branca - thanks for the complete poem - I made copies for our computer people at work (school), especially our technology coordinator! Fall is definitely in the air in PA - I love the cool air but still warm sun! I must get back to my weaving. Lyn Levan Middleburg, PA jdlevan@sunlink.net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Weavers Words #48 Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 23:30:34 -0400 (EDT) From: CMGARDNER@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi everyone, My thanks again to David for all his hard work in keeping this list going out to the ever increasing membership! I hope you are feeling well and good now. I agree with recent comments on latest newsletter..let's get back to helpful hints and tips, etc. I think we all have so much to contribute and help each other with.. A few responses to recent questions: To Ann Ridgeway-How excited you must be to host Vladimir..it should be a great experience for you! To-Stacey in Maine- what a neat idea to make a cornucopia basket! I spent about an hour searching the web for something, checked all my patterns..nothing. BUT..I have made quite a few baskets just by buying one I liked from Wal Mart or some craft store (cheap) I know I have seen cornucopia or horn of plenty baskets..just study it and make one just like it. I plan on finding one tomorrow and I'll let you know how it turns out. About your tags for baskets. I made some really nice ones by using an easy program I have for printing business cards (from Parsons Technology) you can put your name and what ever you want and then insert clip art..or just find a good rubber stamp of a basket (lots of them available) and stamp each one..use hole punch in corner, tie on with strand of raffia...looks great. You can print up about 12 to a sheet and take them to a copy store like Kinko's and get them printed on card stock in a wonderful color and they will cut them. I got 100 tags for $6.00. It makes your work very personal and adds a nice touch. To-Mary- re storage..I really did have a mess because I have from 20- 25 rolls of reed at any one time..in various colors. So I use those 14" wire cubes, 4 high and 4 wide, in a closet (removed doors) and re-roll and tie up reed and they stack nicely in the cubes. I also keep partial rolls/short pieces in 2 gal plastic zip lock bags. Be sure to punch air holes..don't store damp reed. Works great because you can label each bag and see at a glance what you have. To-Diane-regarding carrying your tools. I have been using one of those clear plastic make-up bags(about 10") with a zipper, for small tools..works great because you can see in it. Also check the tool dept at a big home center. They have great zippered tool bags (they are bigger) also one of those little insulated lunch bags that are so popular now (Wal mart) under $8.00..hold quite a bit on stuff. To-Carolyn Megginson-try looking for the book "Decorating Baskets" by Dawn Cusick..lots of ideas. I use yarn, threads, raffia, beads, feathers. Don't know if that is what you are looking for, but cost is really cheap. Yarn and fiber stores have the most beautiful 'yarns' now...fuzzy/shimmering ribbons/silks..endless. Hi Kim...loved those 'basket bases" in Nat'l Geographic. Well I answered all I could...now can anyone help me get about 30 baskets done in the next month? Guess I'd better get busy! Keep weaving! Molly in Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: baskets Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 06:34:01 -0400 (EDT) From: Bsktjoe@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Good morning friends, Can anyone give me an e-mail address for Patti Hawkins of Moline, Illinois? E-mail me directly if you can. Thanx Joe Conroy Exeter, RI Bsktjoe@aol.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 49 Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 11:00:53 -0400 (EDT) From: WCoehill@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net Hi, this is another lurker deciding to jump in again... Mary had commented about storage problems in the last issue. I also would like to see or read what others are doing to store their reed and supplies. I have a few systems for storage of my supplies. A few years ago I hit an after Christmas sale and purchased many (10) plastic rubbermaid X-mas light storage boxes. They are rectangular in shape and will close if you don't have reed hanging out or too much stuffed into it. That works well for flat reed. I put a different size reed in each box and have it labeled what size it is. Then I stack them up on top of each other . Of course DO NOT PUT DAMP OR WET REED INTO THE BOXES. THAT EQUALS A LOT OF MOLD OR MILDEW!!!! For round reed and flat oval I have (well my husband did it actually), put up hangers (like a C curve) on the garage wall and put a large (1 inch I believe) dowel rod thru them. I put the coiled reed on the dowel rod and it hangs close to the garage wall. I am thinking about making a type of rack (like a quilt rack possibly), and fitting it with several rows of dowel rods to hang more coiled reed in a smaller space. And of course my favorite way to store the reed. Just leave it in a big pile on the garage floor. of course,, it takes years to untangle it then,, but hey, that way you don't have to pick up after yourself when you are done with your last project .. I believe that all of you may have guessed by now, WE HAVE NO SPACE TO PARK IN THE GARAGE. Oh the problems with having no workroom. I would also like to hear what everyone is making up for X-mas gifts and the X-mas craft show session. I am finally starting to sell my baskets.. Back to chasing the little one around.. I might get some weaving done today.. (WISHFUL THINKING!!!!) Christina Wcoehill@aol.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 38 Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 18:58:53 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Hello all you basketeers out there. I seem to have lost much of the past month. But I'm back into my email now & going over WW issues I haven't read and answered yet. This is my reply to "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 38: Melanie (FDilts@aol.com) - I like your use of buckeyes. How do you attach your buckeyes to your baskets? Do you drill holes in them? Do you use a vise to hold the seed for drilling? My cousins & brother & I used to call buckeyes 'lucky beans.' It was considered a good thing to carry one in your pocket. I don't know how we learned that they are poisonous, but we all knew. The information seems to be part of that mysterious childlore that kids pass to one another verbally, along with such things as jumping rope rhymes and the facts about cooties. Nobody we knew would ever have considered eating one. Many years later I learned they are the seed of the horsechestnut tree. After all the discussion in WW, I had to look them up to find out how poisonous they really are. The horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Ohio buckeye (A. glabra) and all the other members of the buckeye family contain the poisonous glycoside esculin in their seeds and other parts. Symptoms from eating this poison include nausea, vomiting, weakness and paralysis. It can be fatal to children. There is no such thing as a non-poisonous half of a buckeye! My references on this are: Dreisbach, Robert H., MD, PhD. and Robertson, William O., MD. *Handbook of Poisoning: Prevention, Diagnosis & Treatment*, 12th Edition, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Connecticut/Los Altos, California. 1987. Hardin, James W. and Arena, Jay M., MD. *Human Poisoning from Native and Cultivated Plants*, 2nd Edition. Duke University Press, Durham, North Carolina. 1974. and James, Wilma Roberts. *Know Your Poisonous Plants: poisonous plants found in field and garden* 1973. Naturegraph Publishers, Healdsburg, California. Diane Rigterink - Did you get the answer you needed to remove the black spots from your photo basket? Chlorine bleach, diluted, should clear it up. It may lighten the color a bit, but probably won't otherwise damage the basket. Lora L Khoury - How are things going with the group project of nested Nantuckets you're working on? I haven't tried one of those yet, so am curious to hear about making them. The few I've seen were wonderful! Time for errands & rounding up my supplies for the basket I'm weaving at a demo tomorrow. It's an all day medieval history demo at Lee's Summit HS. A different history class will come through each hour. They will have a few minutes for close-up viewing and questions at the end of the period, but no time for hands-on involvement, so I can just be there (in my 10th Century garb) and work on one of my own projects. Should be a productive day. Bert Comstock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: basket calendar Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 10:59:33 -0400 From: "The Rigterinks" To: Hi Everyone Once again, I need some help. In a WW some time ago, there was a post from someone about having "basket calendars" and I have looked but cannot find thatpost any more. Does anyone else remember it? I would like to order several from that person/business if I can find out who it was. I'm making a honeypot basket at this time and am just about to do the rim that the lid lays on, but I have never heard the term "hairpin" before. Can someone please explain this for me. As always, thanks for the help Diane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 10:28:27, -0500 From: BDKE97B@prodigy.com (MRS BILLIE A DORRIS) To: davidc@iei.net Forrest, I am still here but trying hard to keep my mouth shut and stay out of trouble. Actually this is the midst of my show season and my kids arrived from Korea last Friday before they leave for Japan on Sunday so have been busy visiting since I hadn't seen them in almost a year. Just a word of advice for all those who have younger children that squabble a lot-it doesn't seem to change when they become adults it's just over different things. As I don't have the last issue in front of me and don't remember who asked what I will just answer in general. I have had many different types of tool carriers over the years but have finally found what I think is the ideal. You can probably find it in your local hardware/home repair store. It is a gate mouthed tool bag by benchbusters. It has all the little pockets to hold various tools and a dishpan will even fit in it. But the best thing is that it has a shoulder strap for carrying. I have two of them. One for my tools and the other with all the supplies I take to shows-license-credit card machine, pens, pencils etc. I try to keep it packed all the time with the appropriate supplies so I don't get to a show missing something I really need. Also one of our people attended the McColley's chair class this year and returned with the news that they are closing their school. It seems as if Connie has taken a real job. I know that this is a real disappointment to those who had looked forward to learning from them. Well guess I've said enough for today. I may not contribute all the time but am always here reading so keep yp the good work, hopefully after things die down I will be able to contribute more of my "absolutely valuable, never disputed information" Billie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: re: taking tools along and etc...... Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 17:03:19 -0700 From: chas To: davidc@iei.net Hello David and All :: To Diane: In answer to your question concerning "how to take your tools along to classes; Martha Stewart had a wonderful idea on how to make a tool caddy. Can't remember the segment etc, but I have made several and find that they have many uses. I will try to describe it, and you can e-mail me privately if it doesn't make sense to you. You take a piece of 2 x 4 about 16 - 20 inches long. Attach a "C" shaped cabinet handle to the narrow edge on one side - in the middle. Next line up however many empty and clean coffee (or tomato juice cans etc) on each side of the 2 x 4 and attach with washers and screws into the wide side (up near the top of both the board and the can). Boy, this probably is not getting thru right. Wish I knew how to draw a picture, it is really soo ingenious and easy to make, I have made several myself.. And I am definitely NOT a carpenter. Anyway, if you are with me so far. You now have a caddy with 4 - 6 or so canisters attached to a board with a carrying handle in the middle on top., and a board down the center.You can put clothespins in one, screwdrivers & knives in one, waxed thread and twisty ties in one, etc. Since I did not do well describing this, maybe someone can help me out. Anyone see this Martha Stewart show ??? HELP PLEASE ???? I will look thru my magazines and send you a pic (snail mail) if I can find one.... Sorry.... To Headless Weaver ; ie Kim: Don't feel bad; I love your idea about making the snowflakes out of maple strips. I have made many of these, and never thought to use the maple or other strips. I bet that does dress them up some. also, spraying with the glitter spray.. Thanks To Lori: HI !!!! Finally tracked down a copy of your article on the Pumpkin basket--- how cute.... How did you ever get such a great write up ??? And the picture was great.... Way to go...... To Andrea: I am finally hoping to use some of your palm inflo.. Any hints on where to start?? Do you make an entire basket out of it?? It is so bumpity.. Do you make ribbed baskets or randed with it?? I was thinking of making a randed (smallish) with mostly palm inflo, and maybe trying to incorporate some other natural materials, maybe some of the black walnut leave sheaths, but they are fairly fine. Have you used any of yours yet? What did you do?? Anyone else out there have any starting hints for me??? Maybe it is a good time to ask if anyone has any weaving materials they would like to trade??? Andrea I did some trading last spring. She sent me palm inflo and I sent her carded wool and black walnut leave sheath. We tried to send and equal weight of material and sent it by priority mail. It was FUN and I would LOVE to try again... Anyone have and abundance of something ?? I live in WASHINGTON state, and am always looking for palm LEAF to weave, and most anything else.. I haven't been able to find any antlers yet and would love some etc, etc, etc, etc, Am open to suggestions.... Better go for now **** Everyone take care -- and thanks to David for offering this place ! Ruth Lascurain Cinebar, WA PS -- I too have gone to the weavers stain chat room several times and not found anyone. Am I doing this right?? I have never done a chat room, and thought we were going to meet nightly at 6pm pacific time. Or was that just on Saturdays?? I will keep checking in... bye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 39 Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 23:03:17 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Hello again, all you WW fans. Here are my comments on "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 39: Ruth Lascurain - Thanks for telling us how your craft fair demo at the museum went. I was wondering. Another way to optimize the future returns from such a donated time experience might be to make up some small brochures or flyers about yourself and your baskets and whether you take custom orders and what you teach. If you try that, be sure to include contact information. Amanda - I think the secret to keeping buckeyes is to spread them out to dry thoroughly before trying to store them. I have kept a few for many years and had no problems with them. I was living in a somewhat dryer climate then. I don't know whether drilling holes in them will lead to insect problems or allow the insides to get moldy. Does anyone have experience with these problems? Molly in Nevada - Re: kinds of reed used. I don't know what's traditional, but I use about as much round reed (or round reed substitutes) as I do flat. Sometimes I use both in the same basket. I've been reading a lovely little book: *Willow Basketry of the Amana Colonies* by Joanna E. Schanz (1986. Penfield Press, Iowa City, Iowa). Many of her techniques could be done with round reed. I want to try some of them with some of the volunteer dogwood, elm, mulberry and althea that grow in my fencerow. Actually, when I go through the Amana Colonies next month, I intend to go to her shop in West Amana and find out whether she teaches workshops. I think I read a note somewhere that she does; I'd really like to take one! I don't usually turn very sharp corners with my round reed, so have no answer for your breaking problem. Maybe a bit of glycerine in your soaking water would help keep it flexible longer. I've seen it used to keep autumn leaves from getting brittle. I don't know if it would make the basket seem sticky. It might rinse our after the weaving was done. If I could, I'd gladly send you some of our excess humidity! I'm breathing a bit easier now that it's down around 60%, but we had many days this summer when temperature and humidity were both in the 90s. Ugh! Joy Moody - about staghorn sumac: Yes, the red seedheads of this sumac (and smooth sumac) make a good 'tea' that has a nice rosy color and slightly tart flavor - a lot like hibiscus flowers. Jan Philips' book *Wild Edibles of Missouri* (1979. Missouri Department of Conservation) says it is sometimes called Indian lemonade. She suggests straining it to remove the little hairs, and also tells of making it into jelly. I don't think it would be strong enough for dye, unless you had oodles and oodles of the hard fuzzy sour berries. I still like to nibble on a few, or suck the flavored surface coating off the seeds. They are best soon after ripening. Later in the fall, rain will have washed the good stuff away. Berry dyes, though, fade rapidly, especially on something as dye resistant as reed. Sumac roots and bark, however, make a good tan dye, and can help mordant other natural dyes. Marcia Balleweg - Re: Drying baskets: My favorite drying place in the summer is the storage loft above my garage. It's almost like a dehydrating oven. In the winter time it's a freeze-dryer. I seldom have mold spot problems there (only if I forget and leave a wet basket sitting in the soaking bucket in the van). :-) What with doing a Middle School demo earlier this week (actually more of a 'show & tell') and the High School one coming up, and the air being bright and chilly, I had to go out to the apple farm this afternoon and buy some crisp, tart, juicy, freshly picked Jonathans. The lunch I pack for tomorrow will be apple slices and sharp ceddar with Rye Krisp. A September favorite! (and easy to eat while weaving). I'll think of how many of you are weaving along in your own places while I'm at it. It seems friendlier that way than just being the only basket-weaver. (The other people at this demo will all be doing other things - needlework, ornamental braiding, making chainmail, stitching leather pouches, etc.) Bert Comstock Independence, MO Thursday the 25th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 1 I. 40 Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 23:03:17 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 Late Thurs 25 Sept - Early Fri 26 Sept. reply to "Weavers Words" Vol. 1 Iss. 40. Mary Carty - Tell us more about your grandmother basket, please. It sounds like fun. I have no idea of the origin of the god's eye and its name. I have a picture of a very old Peruvian multiple god's eye made of sticks and yarn. Unfortunately, there's no way of telling what is meant by 'very old' and there was no date given. Lyn Siler - What a delight to find you in Weavers Words! I've heard so much praise for your books I had to buy them when I found them this summer. Haven't had time to try them out yet - it will be difficult deciding which basket to do first. I'm working on writing patterns and instructions for baskets I recreate from historic manuscript illuminations. I'm new at pattern writing and will want to have them well tested. Probably won't have anything ready to submit for the book you're doing now, but maybe if you do another in a year or so..??... Just thinking of such a possibility is inspiring. I hope your back is getting better. Such things seem to be very slow going. Take care. Coleen Hickey - The Yakima Ditch Ladies must be a great bunch to work with! What fun! I, too, love to collect wild materials. Now that I'm retired and finally getting some jobs around the house caught up, I look forward to using up my old supplies and gathering new ones. Re "skeiner": There is a tool used by Japanese basketmaker Hiroshima Kazuo to work down his fine strips of bamboo. I recently saw an example in an exhibit called 'A Basketmaker in Rural Japan' at the Sheldon Gallery on the KU campus in Lawrence, KS. It has a pair of sharp blades set onto a wooden base in a vertical position at a right angle to each other with a space between them which dictates the width of the strips. Each blade is affixed to the diagonally cut end of a board, giving the device an appearance similar to the corner of a box with the base of the box extending beyond its sides and corner. I think the distance between the blades is adjustable, so you could make different width strips. I have no idea what the tool is called. It seems that each strip is pulled through the gap from the outside toward the inside of the 'box'. Irregularities are shaved off both sides simultaneously, making a very smooth uniform strip. The exhibit was organized by the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. I hope to be able to buy the book of the same title through the Smithsonian, which published it (the Sheldon's gift shop was out of them). I also hope this and other tools are illustrated therein. It might be possible to build a similar device with scraper blades mounted on either side of the gap. Cheri Branca - I like the basic rules you described for baskets made from flat reed or splints. I haven't done enough of either reading or writing patterns yet to have developed my own set, although I'm sure I will eventually. I certainly have rules for myself when I write recipes! Kathi Calvert - Re 3/4" flat oval reed and 1/2" handle notches: Another way to cope with this problem, rather than substituting narrower flat oval on the rim, would be to carefully mark where the rim reed crosses the handle and notch the edges of the reed to fit it into the handle notch. Joyce Sarge - Please enlighten me about your trip by spelling out UP (upper peninsula?) and NC (North Carolina?). Do you live way south? Your canisters and ice buckets sound good to me! I'm trying to decide what technique to use to cover some bottles. Dense styrofoam block ought to be a good mold material too. The bassinette is a very ambitious project. From what I know about woodworking, mostly from my brother and a little of my own reading and experimenting, I think oak stakes would be the most durable. Oak gets very hard and tough as it ages. I nearly burned out an electric drill trying to mound drapery rods on oak woodwork in my former house. Cherry seems to be somewhat brittle. Could you use cherry for the weavers instead of the stakes? Oh my! I just looked at my clock (which doesn't seem to match the time on my computer at all). It's nearly 3 am. Time to quit rambling here and get some sleep. More later. Bert Comstock, Independence MO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.